Give & Take

Statue of Lady Justice holding scales and wearing a blindfold, symbolizing fairness and the importance of legal planning such as creating a will.

Thank you for the clarification — you're absolutely right. The emphasis should be on the *overlooked* and *often ignored* reasons people **don’t think about** when skipping a Will. Here’s a revised **80-word summary** that reflects that angle more precisely: Many people skip creating a Will, assuming they don’t need one. But overlooked reasons make it essential: naming a guardian for minor children, choosing *who* inherits (and who doesn’t), avoiding court-appointed representatives, and minimizing taxes or legal fees. A Will also helps establish your legal residence for tax benefits—something few consider. Without one, the state decides everything. These details are often ignored, yet they protect your loved ones and legacy. Don’t let procrastination make those decisions for you.

Online Will Planners: Should Your Nonprofit Have One?

Online will makers are everywhere you look these days. From FreeWill, Rocket Lawyer, Trust & Will and GivingDocs to the comprehensive LegacyPlanner, it feels like everyone is offering their own version. And sometimes it seems like they all just appeared overnight, too. But the truth is, the industry has been around for decades — both US Legal Wills and LegalZoom had online versions more than 20 years ago.

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Philanthropy is a longer-term option for making gifts to help people in need over multiple years’ time while charity focuses on immediate relief to the needy.

Depiction of family making a will

Creating a will is a vital act of love and responsibility—not just for the wealthy, but for anyone wishing to protect their loved ones and legacy. This guide outlines ten essential truths, including the importance of naming guardians, avoiding court-imposed decisions, and using modern, affordable tools like LegacyPlanner™. It stresses that valid wills are legally binding, easy to update, and crucial at any age. Take action today to ensure your wishes are honored and your family is safeguarded.

Overwhelmed nonprofit professional surrounded by distractions, symbolizing toxic busyness and poor time management

Most people aren’t busy—they’re just unfocused, boundary-less, and addicted to looking important. This piece delivers seven brutal truths about time, attention, and why most nonprofit professionals are stuck in a loop of motion without progress. If your calendar is full but your goals are stalled, this is your wake-up call. Stop being everyone's unpaid assistant. Start producing outcomes. Because in the end, you’re either running your day—or starring in someone else’s productivity fantasy.

An image Difference Between an Advance Directive and a Living Will.

Learn about the distinctions between advance directives and living wills, ensuring your medical care preferences are respected even when you can't communicate them yourself.

An image Hardball in Leadership No Excuses Just Results.

Whiners don’t win—leaders do. If your comfort zone is begging for 2–4% raises and hoping for a part-time job post-retirement, this isn’t for you. Hardball leaders don’t play it safe—they make bold moves, take calculated risks, and push their teams toward excellence. The nonprofit world is plagued by a softie mentality, where comfort trumps results. But real impact demands urgency, accountability, and grit. Step up, toughen up, and lead like a winner—because playing it safe won’t get you to the top.

An image Understanding the Differences Living Trust vs. Will.

Discover the key differences between a living trust and a will, and learn how to decide which estate planning tool is best for your needs.

An image of a Designate Beneficiaries a Comprehensive Guide.

Learn how to designate beneficiaries for non-probate assets to streamline the transfer of your estate and avoid probate. This guide covers everything from understanding beneficiaries to updating designations.

An image of a guide book showing key reasons to have a will.

Discover the 10 key reasons to have a will and why it's essential for your family's future. Learn how a will can provide peace of mind, reduce stress, and ensure your wishes are honored.

An image of a hand Decoding Intestate Succession.

Understanding who inherits your estate if you die without a will is crucial. This article explores intestate succession and state laws.

An image of time running out making End-of-Life Planning important.

End-of-life planning is crucial for ensuring your wishes are honored and easing the burden on loved ones. Discover 12 essential documents to consider in this comprehensive guide.

An image of a man using a stencil to paint similar to using a will template.

Discover the pros and cons of using a will template for your last will and testament. Learn about the legality, types, features, and when to consult an estate attorney.

Modern home floating on clouds, symbolizing how real estate gifts can elevate charitable impact and legacy giving

Nonprofits are leaving billions on the table—not because donors aren’t willing, but because fundraisers are too afraid to ask for real estate. Myths, fear, and ignorance have paralyzed the sector. Meanwhile, $35 trillion in property is changing hands over the next two decades. Still think bake sales will cut it? Like Willie Sutton said about robbing banks: “Because that’s where the money is.” Real estate is where the money is. The smart fundraisers already know it. Do you?

Vibrant tree with deep roots and silhouetted people holding hands, symbolizing unity, legacy, growth, and community impact

Most legacy societies fail quietly—created with enthusiasm, then forgotten. This guide breaks that cycle with a proven roadmap to build or revive a legacy society that truly works. You’ll learn how to choose a name that resonates, attract founding members, keep them engaged, and most importantly—sell through stories, not just tell them. Whether you're starting from scratch or dusting off an old initiative, this is your actionable playbook for legacy giving that inspires and endures.

An image of a lawyer and Ultimate Guide to Per Stirpes.

Learn the definition of per stirpes and discover how to name beneficiaries per stirpes in a will. This comprehensive guide provides clarity on estate planning and ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

An image about Donating Stock to Charity online.

Learn how donating stock to charity can maximize your impact and tax benefits. Discover the advantages, methods, and step-by-step processes in this comprehensive guide.

An image of an umbrella covering people much like a life insurance policy.

Learn how to designate a beneficiary for a life insurance policy to ensure your loved ones receive the financial support they need promptly and efficiently.

An image showing the differences between two things.

Explore the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts for your estate planning needs.

Intelligence centers for data analytics

Some nonprofits are exploring expensive analytics platforms for planned giving—complete with dashboards, donor heatmaps, and predictive scoring tools—"intelligence tools" as they are called. Often, these are rebranded business intelligence tools that have been given a "legacy twist" and called innovation. But here's the question: Is this the right tool for organizations like yours? These platforms can generate meaningful insights... if you have 2,000,000+ prospects to analyze. But when your donor file has less than 100,000 people, do you need predictive algorithms to tell you who cares about your mission?

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Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!

Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.

Please reach out. Note: if you give us your mailing address (or PO Box), we’ll send you a complimentary Planned Giving Gift Comparison Chart. 

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